Are you a woman navigating the complexities of modern leadership, striving for self-acceptance, or confronting societal expectations in your professional and personal life? Then this episode of the RAA Talks podcast is for you!

Join host Raihana as she engages in a powerful and candid conversation with Maddie Gardner, a young hotel, food, and beverage manager. Maddie shares her unique journey in the hospitality industry, offering deep insights into leadership, resilience, and personal growth.

What can you expect from this episode?

• Discover Maddie Gardner’s rapid ascent in hotel food and beverage management at the Regency in Seattle, starting as a barista at 19 and quickly becoming a supervisor and manager.
• Learn about her unique experiences working night shifts and how she cultivated a sense of safety and community among her team and regular guests.
• Gain an understanding of the challenges Maddie faces as a young leader, including overcoming assumptions based on her age and earning respect from older colleagues.
• Hear about her encounters with sexism in the workplace and her proactive approach to handling difficult situations with grace and assertiveness.
• Listen to Maddie’s incredibly personal story of navigating body image struggles, eating disorders, and how she found self-acceptance and confidence.

What can you gain from the episode?

• Practical strategies for creating a safe and equitable environment for your team, including direct communication and prioritizing safety measures.
• Insights into leading with a “servant heart,” prioritizing your team’s needs, and building trust by actively listening and addressing concerns.
• Inspiration on how to maintain composure and confidence when facing aggression or discrimination, embodying the “put your own mask on first” mentality.
• A deeper understanding of “pretty privilege” and its impact, along with Maddie’s perspective on valuing inner qualities over external appearance.
• Encouragement to find your “curvy confident” self and to become the mentor you needed, sharing your wisdom and experiences to make a difference for others.

This episode of RAA Talks offers a raw, honest, and empowering conversation that resonates with the complexities of professional and personal development.

Tune in to hear Maddie Gardner’s inspiring journey of leadership, resilience, and self-discovery, and leave feeling empowered to embrace your own strength and purpose.

Follow host, Raihana on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rfaggarwal 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rfaggarwal 
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/raacoaching
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@raacoaching  
• Visit me at: https://www.raacoaching.com/raihana

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About  Maddie Gardner : I’m Maddie Gardner, a Hotel Food and Beverage Manager with a focus on creating welcoming, comfortable experiences for both guests and my team. While I’m younger than most in my position, I’m passionate about taking on new challenges and going above and beyond to support those around me. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my sister and friends, taking long drives, and discovering new coffee spots.

Please reach Maddie at

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madisongracegardner

Tiktok: @maddie.gg123